League One clubs are now braced for the season to be curtailed with play-offs to decide promotion.
The EFL is set for a vote next week to decide after bitter in-fighting in the division but it now seems increasingly likely the table will be decided on points-per-game.
That means Coventry and Rotherham will go up automatically and the players are now expecting Oxford to face Portsmouth and Fleetwood to meet Wycombe in the play-offs.
Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony has been outspoken and determined to get the season played out after garnering strong support from other clubs who looked set to block it being curtailed.
But the EFL have now confirmed that they will need a 51 per cent majority in any vote for the decision to go through and therefore it now looks certain to be decided next week.
Even Southend United, whose side are now 16 points adrift from safety, appear to be accepting their fate as chairman Ron Martin said: “Whilst it doesn't suit us, in all honesty, it probably represents the most balanced way forward.”
League Two have affectively agreed to curtail their season while there is still doubts over the Championship with a growing number of clubs expressing doubt over whether it can be completed.
Charlton boss Lee Bowyer has been outspoken on finishing the season and curtailment would be harsh on them as they dropped into the relegation zone the week before lockdown and were due to play Hull (the team directly above them) on the weekend when games were cancelled.
EFL chairman Rick Parry said: “In the event a divisional decision is made to curtail the 2019/20 season, the EFL Board is recommending that the League adopts the original framework with the amendments as identified, as there is a strong desire to remain as faithful as possible to the Regulations and ensure there is consistency in the approach adopted across the EFL in all divisions.
“The Board has always acknowledged that a single solution to satisfy all Clubs would always be hard to find, but we are at the point now where strong, definitive action is need for the good of the League and its members.”
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